Google adds 7 heritage sites for virtual 360-degree tour

Google’s efforts at Streetview, offering 360 degree walk-throughs of city streets in India had run into rough weather over privacy concerns.

But that hasn’t deterred the Internet giant from hyper-boosting its Google Maps with user data, and releasing 360-degree online imagery of heritage monuments. Seven of these structures added on Wednesday, are from Karnataka.

Heritage buffs could now virtually walk through the Mysuru Palace, Pattadakal monuments, Badami Caves in Bagalkote, Mysuru Zoo, Kittur Fort in Belagavi, Someshwar Temple in Gadag and Mahabaleshwara Temple in Kumta.

Nationwide, 31 sites are now part of this project, launched in partnership with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Karnataka State Archaeological Department and Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation.

In February and June last year, Google had brought the Taj Mahal, Safdarjung tomb and Ellora Caves under the project. With the addition of Gateway of India, Sun Temple, Nalanda University and Thanjavur Temple along with the Karnataka monuments, as many as 127 heritage sites are now available online for a 360-degree experience.

“Since last year, we have been working with ASI and other partners to bring more of India’s heritage online for the world to see. We hope the latest panoramic imagery will help people learn about India’s rich history by exploring Google Maps and the Google Cultural Institute,” says Rajan Anandan, Vice President and Managing Director, Google India and South East Asia.

On its Google Earth platform that combines satellite imagery, traffic and user-generated data, the search major has been adding 3D rendering of popular buildings.

In Bengaluru, for instance, Google Earth offers 3D visuals of Vikasa Soudha, UB City, Visvesvaraya Towers, Public Utility Building, and Karnataka High Court building (Attara Kacheri).

The surge in smartphone usage has also triggered huge interest in the point-to-point navigation feature of Google Maps.

Voice-guided turn by turn navigation in both English and Hindi, option to save maps offline, walking directions, live traffic updates and listings of hotels and utilities have sparked big interest in the Map application.